Location

Call today:

Nutrition for Eye Health

Created in
All About Eyes

Eating right is essential for keeping your body healthy. This is as true for your eyes as it is for your heart. A diet that is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and is low in saturated fat, can reduce your risk of heart disease. This will also keep your arteries healthy, so they can continue to supply your eyes with oxygen-rich blood.

In addition to eating an overall healthy diet, though, some foods in particular are excellent for your eye health.

Green, leafy vegetables. Kale, spinach, collards and other leafy greens are all high in lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients may reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. These nutrients are also found in broccoli, corn, eggs and peas.

Cold-water fish. Salmon, halibut and tuna are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that may reduce your risk of developing AMD. If you are vegetarian, walnuts and ground flax seeds will provide some types of omega-3 fatty acids, but you may need to take microalgae supplements to obtain DHA omega-3s.

Citrus fruit. Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and lemons are all high in vitamin C. This antioxidant is essential for healthy eyes and may slow down the formation of cataracts and onset of AMD. You can also obtain vitamin C from other foods, including peaches, red peppers, strawberries and tomatoes.

Legumes. Black-eyed peas, lima beans, kidney beans and peanuts are all rich in zinc. This mineral, which is found in the eye in high concentration, may help prevent your eyes from being damaged by light. Zinc is also found in lean red meat, poultry, milk and whole grains.

Nuts. Almonds, pecans and other nuts are rich in vitamin E, a nutrient that may slow the progression of AMD and may prevent the formation of cataracts. You can also find vitamin E in avocados, spinach, sunflower seeds and whole grains.

Carrots. Rich in beta-carotene, carrots keep your night vision working properly. This nutrient is also found in other orange-colored fruits and vegetables, such as apricots, cantaloupe and sweet potatoes.

Macular degeneration represents one of the most significant causes of vision loss in older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.8 million people currently suffer from macular degeneration, with an additional 7.3 million people at risk of developing this ...

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a visual disorder caused by abnormal vision development, often occurring during infancy. Patients with amblyopia have reduced vision in one eye, because it is not working properly in conjunction with the brain.
With early detection and proper treatment, loss of ...

Glaucoma is a serious disorder that can damage the optic nerves of your eyes if left untreated. The optic nerve carries images from your eyes to your brain. If the nerve is damaged, full or partial vision loss can occur. In some cases, people develop glaucoma because the pressure in their eyes begins ...

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

"This office was very professional. Customer service was outstanding and I recommend their services to anyone looking for a new optometrist."

-Lasandra C., Chicago, IL

"I loved Dr. Hoang! She was very thorough, asked lots of good questions about my medical history and her staff was terrific. I ended up with a beautiful pair of Tiffany & Co black frame with little crystal flowers on each temple. If I weren’t moving out of state this summer, I’d go to her regularly for eye checkups."

-Marilee K., Chicago, IL

"My experience was great! Dr. Hoang was professional and very kind. I definitely feel that my eyes are in good hands! The staff was great, too, they were very helpful."